K.S. Anil Kumar

Remote sensing and GIS application for land quality assessment for coffee growing areas of Karnataka

An assessment of land quality was carried out for coffee-growing areas of Karnataka using satellite image, toposheets and soil studies. The investigation focused on monitoring soil processes that control the land quality using satellite data in order to identify the land qualities that are ideal for coffee-growing; to identify the status of land qualities of coffee-growing areas using satellite imageries, toposheets and soil resource maps and to characterise land quality using soil studies in selected areas. The land quality was characterised using climatic data, terrain analysis and soil attributes. From the study it was observed that coffee growing lands of Gabbugal and Kelagur have best land qualities and coffee-growing areas of Balur and Nellikkad have moderate land qualities. Satellite image and aerial photographs were successfully used for monitoring the land quality and its changes in these areas. For optimum utilization of available natural resources on a sustainable basis, timely and reliable information on soils regarding their nature, extent and spatial distribution along with their potential and limitations is very important. The efficiency and accuracy of data are improved when remote sensing data products such as aerial photographs and satellite image are used.

Assessment of Land Degradation and Its Impacts on Land Resources of Sivagangai Block, Tamil Nadu, India

A detailed cadastral level survey of land resources occurring in Sivagangai block of Tamil Nadu state, India, covering an area of about 44,600 ha, was carried out during the period 2006−2007. Based on this, 18 soil series were identified and 103 phases mapped at 1:12,500 scale. The study revealed severe sheet erosion on the uplands, heavy siltation of tanks and development of salinity/sodicity at the lowlands as major causes for the drastic decline in productivity. The study warrants systematic and timely efforts to arrest soil erosion on the uplands, proper maintenance of tanks to increase the storage capacity and recharge of the aquifers and providing drainage facilities to reclaim the lowlands and prevent the development of salinity/sodicity in the study area.

Role of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Mobilization of Soil Phosphorus

The microorganisms play a vital role in sustaining the crop production through improving the soil properties and plant nutrition. Among the microorganisms VAM (vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae) is a beneficial fungus that plays an important role in soil nutrient dynamics and improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Though phosphorus is the second macronutrient required in relatively large amounts by plants next to nitrogen, it is one of the most difficult nutrients for plants to acquire because of its low solubility, low mobility and fixation in soil. The mycorrhizal symbiotic association between fungi and plants plays an important role in the uptake of phosphorus. Many experiments have specified that VAM is able to alter mobilization of soil phosphorus of its host plants. The paper summarizes about mycorrhizal symbiosis of VAM involving multistep colonization process, soil phosphorus dynamics in the rhizosphere and mycorrhizal mechanism and pathways involved in phosphorus availability and uptake.

Inventory and Mapping of Land Resources for Land Use Planning Through Detail Soil Survey Coupled With Remote Sensing and Gis Techniques: A Case Study in Nagenahalli Watershed, Doddaballapur Taluk, Bangalore Rural District, India

The land resources are under severe strain due to the pressure of the growing population and competing demands of the various land uses. The key to meet the present day challenges lies in the integrated management of the natural resources. Therefore the knowledge of soil and land resources with respect to their spatial distribution, characteristics, potentials, limitations and their suitability for alternate land uses helps in formulating strategies to obtain higher productivity on sustained basis. The data required for farm planning can be obtained by carrying out detailed characterization and mapping of all the existing land resources like soils, climate, minerals and rocks, ground water, vegetation, crops, land use pattern etc. From the data collected, the problems and potentials of the area for agriculture development, suitable land use options and soils management International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 8 (2017) pp. 314-331 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com